Tail Light Mod

[frankeeski]

There has been some discussion about using tail lights other than the traditional round lights provided with the kit and the rectangular Lucas style lights. At least one member mentioned using 41-48 Chevy sedan tail light, and I thank you for your suggestion whoever you are. I went one step further and decided that if I was going to change them I might as well make them brighter as well and looked for ones with LED's. I hunted around online for a couple of weeks until I came upon these. They have that traditional look but are a bit wider and a little taller than the Lucas lights. They fit the pads on the rear of the FFR MK3 body very well, and better than the Lucas lights so modification of the body, if any, will be minimized. I picked the lights up on ebay for just under $80 including shipping.

Here is what I started with, very familiar to all of you builders out there.
http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa78/frankeeski/DSCF1046.jpg
I joined the top and bottom light cut outs to make one large oval. Then I widened the sides just a bit for a little wiggle room to center the lights and get them plumb.
http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa78/frankeeski/DSCF1045.jpg
The studs in the light ended up right where the cut outs in the body were so I needed to move them closer to the corners and still not interfere with the reflector housing. So I countersunk the holes and tack welded some flat head screws in.
http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa78/frankeeski/DSCF1052.jpg
You can see where the original studs were mounted and where I mounted the new studs
http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa78/frankeeski/DSCF1053.jpg

[frankeeski]

I'm already using an electronic flasher unit for the turn signals but still the flash was a little to fast for my taste. I grabbed a couple of resistors from RS in a 10ohm/10 watt value. Make sure you get ones rated for voltage. Most, if not all, that you find at RS are for speakers and not rated for voltage.

Here you can see the resistor. It needs to remain outside the split loom since these things tend to heat up when active and would melt the plastic of the loom if left in contact with it.
http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa78/frankeeski/DSCF1055.jpg
Here you can see the completed right side
http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa78/frankeeski/DSCF1047.jpg
And the new view of the rear.
http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa78/frankeeski/DSCF1057.jpg

I will say they are REALLY BRIGHT and I like the way it turned out.

[Fifty-Two]

Great mod Frank! And you are right, they fit the MK3 mounting pads really well actually.

- John

[3kcarbon]

Rectangular lights ar fun to bolt on huh? I just switched mine over to **********s with aluminum boxes I fabbed up to hold the twin sockets. I used the same bulbs as the standard FFR dual round lights. The small lens has some dimming effect even with the same lights. I was thinking about using the LEDs for the dual contact base.

[3kcarbon]

I was thinkg of switching over to LED's from the start. That will be easy with this setup.

[MPTech]

frankeeski, very cool and they look great. How's the brightness compared to the stock ones? Are they dual element? (do you have any pics of the sockets / bulbs without the lens?)

3kcarbon, anymore pics / writeup on these?

I'm sure I want square lights and leds, just haven't figured out which ones yet.

[LuckyWinner]

Looks very nice brother. Cant wait to see it all done with paint. Stay in touch

[frankeeski]

frankeeski, How's the brightness compared to the stock ones? Are they dual element? (do you have any pics of the sockets / bulbs without the lens?)


They are WAY brighter then the FFR supplied lights. The circuit board is the lens. There are three wires coming out of the circuit board; Ground, Running/Clearance and Stop/Turn. I still don't see a need for separate brake and turn bulbs when it's easier to just add a relay and be done with it, but that's just me. Hope this helps.

[riptide motorsport]

vry nice!

[BigLeo69]

There has been some discussion about using tail lights other than the traditional round lights provided with the kit and the rectangular Lucas style lights. At least one member mentioned using 41-48 Chevy sedan tail light, and I thank you for your suggestion

that was me on ffcars
also found that a 46 merc will work
got my 48 chevy tail lights at a swap meet for 36 bucks 1157 bulbs
they do make a LED too
but u are still going to tell me how we want to make the 2 wire light work
Leo

[3kcarbon]

Here are the **********s installed with dual bulbs. Switching to replacement LEDs in the bulb sockets will probably happen soon.

[frankeeski]

that was me on ffcars

but u are still going to tell me how we want to make the 2 wire light work
Leo

Now I got two guys saying it was their idea, Jim over on FFcars says it was him. Hell, I don't know you can both have credit for the idea. Leo I got mine with LED's for $30 a piece and $10 for shipping. Seemed like a fair price to me.

The way to get the tail lights to operate the turn and brake in one without having issues is to use a Tyco relay for each side and interrupt the brake circuit when the turn signal is activated, If you are not using the Probe turn signal electronic flasher you have to use a standard flasher for each side as I understand it. If you paint yourself in a corner I can PM you a sketch of the wiring for it.

[3kcarbon]

All that relay stuff make my brain blink... wiring sorta spooks me anyway. I just went with 2 bulbs.

[Lex]

I was thinkg of switching over to LED's from the start. That will be easy with this setup.

What do those fit and where did you get them?

[3kcarbon]

I think LED replacement bulbs may even be in the parts stores now. I was looking in a Speedway Motors catalog today and see they sell them now. The good part is they fit in a standard bulb socket and are sold as replacement for the bulb number you are used to seeing like 1157. The single bulb rectangular lights a bit dim and that is why I went with the dual bulb setup. Since the socket is already there the LED upgrade is easy.

[BigLeo69]

http://www.ffcars.com/forums/17-factory-five-roadsters/269975-single-taillights-vs-2-taillights.html

i guy's thread name "Beal" on ffcars has pics of his was that Jim then i give him credit for doing it and having the same idea as mine

what i like is when u think outside the box thats what building a car or street-rod is all about
kudo's to us all

[WAYNES WORLD]

Looks great. Please tell us more about the LEDs in the roll bar.
Wayne

[frankeeski]

Looks great. Please tell us more about the LEDs in the roll bar.
Wayne

What would you like to know? There are 6-10mm clear lens red LED's mounted to a circuit board inside the roll bar. They hook to the third brake light circuit in my 94 donor harness